MUSEUMS & HISTORY

North Carolina’s museums bring history, science, and art to life – from world-class art collections and Native American heritage to the site of the Wright brothers’ first flight.

Art Museums

• North Carolina Museum of Art (Raleigh) – State’s flagship art museum, with a vast collection and outdoor sculpture park.

• Asheville Art Museum (Asheville) – Focus on modern and contemporary American art with regional ties.

• Weatherspoon Art Museum (Greensboro) – Large collection of modern and contemporary American art.

• Ackland Art Museum (Chapel Hill) – Noted for Asian art, North Carolina pottery, and global collections.

• Hickory Museum of Art (Hickory) – Southern contemporary folk art and American art.

• Greenville Museum of Art (Greenville) – Regional and contemporary works with community focus.

Science & Innovation

• North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (Raleigh) – The largest of its kind in the Southeast.

• Morehead Planetarium & Science Center (Chapel Hill) – Astronomy and interactive science exhibits.

• Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum (Hatteras) – Maritime history and shipwreck exploration.

• NC Maritime Museum (Beaufort & Southport) – Seafaring heritage and naval history.

• Mountain Gateway Museum (Old Fort) – Appalachian folk culture with environmental focus.

• Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center (Black Mountain) – Local history with natural heritage.

History & Culture

• North Carolina Museum of History (Raleigh) – The state’s premier history museum.

• Museum of the Albemarle (Elizabeth City) – Regional history of northeastern NC.

• Museum of the Cape Fear (Fayetteville) – Showcases southern NC history and culture.

• Bennett Place State Historic Site (Durham) – Civil War surrender site.

• Carl Sandburg Home (Flat Rock) – Preserves the poet’s life and works.

• Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Manteo) – Tells the story of the Lost Colony.

• Wright Brothers National Memorial (Kill Devil Hills, Outer Banks) – Celebrates the site of the first powered flight in 1903, with a visitor center, exhibits, and the iconic monument.